Improvement in carriages for moving pianos



H. c. CAMP n n. c. MUNGER.

Improvement in Carrag'es for Moving Pianos. N10. 128,210. Patontedunol 25,1872.-

A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY o. cAMP AND RUSSEL o. MUNGER, OE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

. IMPROVEMENT IN CARRIAGES FOR MOVING PIANOS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,210, dated June 25, 1872.

Specication describing certain Improvements in Machinery for Moving Heavy Furniture, invented by HENRY CLAY CAMP and' RUSSEL CARLTON MUNGER, both of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minne- Sota.

The special Object of our invention is to facilitate the moving of pianos, which, it is well known, are cumbersome and weighty, and, from their peculiar nish, difficult to handle, requiring, usually, the Strength of quite a number of men. We have, therefore, contrived a method wherebythe work can be done by two men with greater ease, "speed, and security than it formerly was with six.

In the rst place we make a carriage, A, (using preferably oak plank,) having end pieces a. This carriage is about the width and length ot' a piano turned on its side. B is a groove to receive the projecting lid ofthe instrument, and C is a projection from the surface of the carriage,in height about the Same as the moldings on the lower edge of the piano. The top and ends are upholstered to prevent injury to the polish. D D are handles so made that they can be removed when necessary. The 'under side of the carriage is usually made smooth, but in some cases we like to attach a roller, E.

A piano turned onto this carriage can be slid along very easily over carpets and up and down narrow and winding stairways, where great difiiculty is experienced by the present method of moving.

To facilitate the operation of placing the piano on the carriage, as well as to better provide for its transportation, we make aV truck having a platform, Gr, wheels H, and standards J, the latter being hinged to the platform and provided with hooked braces K, which hold them firmly, whether they are resting on the floor or turned up out of the way. Attached to the platform are shelves M, which extend from one side to the other, and can b e pulled out in either direction. N N are pads to place upon the shelves.

In the drawing, Figure 1 shows a side elevation, Fig. 2 a cross-section, and Fig. 3 a plan of our piano-mover.

Our machine is operated as follows: We put the carriage upon the truck, draw out the shelves, and put the pads upon them, letting them project under the bottom of the piano at its back, and having at the same time the standards J resting on the iloor. We then tip the instrument so that its edge will rest on the pads and from them turn it onto the carriage with its back down. By then removing the legs and pedal, shutting in the shelves, and folding back the standards the truck can be rolled along and turned in any direction through spaces where men carrying such a weight could not walk 5 and it is obvious, also, that the carriage may be readily slid from it into a cart, up a number of steps, Sto., or upon it when it was in a proper position.

We claim as our invention- 1. The carriage A having end pieces a, subtantially as described and for the purpose set Orth.

2. In combination with the carriage A a, the roller E, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified. l

3. In combination with the carriage A a, the truck G H having folding legs J, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In combination with the truck G H J, the sliding shelves M and pads N, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HENRY C. CAMP. RUSSEL C. MUNGER.

I Witnesses to both: J. H. HANSON, D. H. CHURCH.4 

